I have a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder with a positive.

I have a 1998 nissan pathfinder with a positive battery terminal connector that is mostly eaten through by corrosion. How do I replace this part?"

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 AT 1:20 AM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

EXPERT

26,036 POSTS

The proper fix is to buy a new cable with the correct ends already on it, but you can also buy universal ends that are much more substantial than what comes on Japanese cars. Those ends have two bolts to tighten the bar over the cleaned-up stranded wire. Those ends are meant to be used for temporary or emergency repairs, but almost everyone uses them for permanent repairs. You'll find these ends at any auto parts store or hardware store.

There's two things to watch for. First of all, remove the negative battery cable first, THEN work on the positive one. If you wrench on the positive one first and the wrench makes contact with anything metal on the car and the positive cable at the same time, you'll have more sparks than the 4th of July. Batteries give off explosive hydrogen gas and those sparks could cause the battery to explode. Second, there will be a smaller wire connected to the battery cable. Be sure that one doesn't get overlooked when you install the new end. Place it alongside the fat cable when you clamp them down.